Should You Invest in a Tankless Water Heater?

January 25, 2018
By
Roth Heating & Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

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The most common reason most homeowners cite for choosing a tankless water heater is to save money on water heating costs and to save indoor space. As valid as these reasons are, there are other factors to consider before going ahead with a tankless upgrade.

How big is your family?

An average-sized tankless water heater won’t have trouble keeping up with a family of four, but if it’s larger, you may need to stagger bathing schedules or install a larger unit.

How’s the water pressure?

Homes with low water pressure might experience sudden drops in hot water volume, resulting in brief spurts of cold water while bathing. Before ruling out a tankless heater, ask a plumber to help you identify the cause of poor indoor water pressure and find solutions.

Is storage space at a premium?

Tankless water heaters use much less space than storage tank heaters. Depending on where you put it, you might be able to add storage or closet space.

Tankless systems are an alternative to a new storage tank heater that might require home modifications, especially if you need a large heater. New water heaters use more space because they require more tank insulation, need more venting, or are substantially taller.

How far away are the bathrooms from the water heater?

If the bathrooms are a distance from the water heater, you may want to install point-of-use heaters for the bathrooms. Not only will a separate tank deliver immediate hot water, it cuts water waste.

What kind of electrical service do you have or does gas run to your property?

A standard tankless system requires 200 amp service, but if you need a larger unit, you’ll need to upgrade the wiring to 300 amps, which will add to the installation costs. If you have natural gas running to your property, you can select this fuel for the water heater.

A tankless water heater uses less energy than a storage heater and may be the ideal choice for your home. For more expert advice, contact Roth Heating & Cooling, your plumbing experts for the greater Portland area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Metro Portland, Oregon area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).